About The Founder
"I did it because you needed it”, was my father’s response.
“You needed to talk,” he added. “That was what was helping you”.
Hi, my name is Jonathan Hart. I'm a
South Australian-based entrepreneur and community connector who experienced suicide distress in 2014/15.
And were it not for my father's care and concern, in some of the toughest times of my life, I would never have made it through the 9 months of on-again, off-again thoughts of not wanting to be alive.
I recently asked my Dad, during a period of reflection, why, through that nine-month period, he had chosen to spend every second or third day walking with me on the beach, just listening, as I expressed my thoughts, feelings and emotions.
You see, I had been put on an anti-depressant medication at the time. One which exacerbated the anxiety I was already feeling due to the financial stress of running my own family business and being responsible for putting food on the table for a young family of six.
I was stressed out, I was anxious and depressed and I was going through a rocky time in my relationship.
The feeling of wanting to end my life meant I could barely make it out of bed due to the feelings of depression, regarding my financial circumstances, and anxiety regarding my future outcomes related to work.
I was worried that I would be unable to maintain the funds to take care of my family and I didn't have any solid friendships either at that time, except for my Dad, and I was feeling isolated with my relationship in jeopardy of breaking down.
We had changed our business website to a new provider, which caused me to worry, and I was addicted to scrolling social media at the time, instead of finding my worth.
There was very little that could be done to wake me out of these feelings, except getting off those damn medications I was forced into taking, due to earlier periods of poor mental health.
I made it through that dark night of the soul with my time spent in suicide distress not wasted, later using it to propel me forward with helping others who are experiencing feelings of suicide distress themsleves.
Because I didn't want what I had experienced, over such a long period of time, to happen to others and I knew there were so many men (and women) in the community who were already suffering in silence.
After travelling Australia in 2017 with my wife at the time and our four kids, and filming the inside of some classic and iconic pubs on the journey, I created the website www.greataussiepubs.com.au
When Covid came in 2020 and people in pubs were forced to drink sitting down, unable to sing or dance due to mask and social distancing mandates, I realised I could, and needed to, do more for mental health support in pubs.
Having suffered with suicide distress and mental health problems in the past, I used my experiences, compassion and empathy to create suicide prevention education, a community of helpers and the GLASS EMPTY Suicide Prevention Signal.
By placing a coaster on an upturned glass or cup at participating pubs, clubs, bars, cafes and breweries, it signals that you are feeling suicidal.
Or, the coaster can be handed to a bar tender or someone in the pub, who can start the process of getting them to safety.
It's a way in to the conversation when the words are too difficult to say and you want to let someone know you need help to feel safe again.
From there a Pub Whisperer can enter that conversation with you and help you to feel safe again. But only if they are able to allocate the time to do so. If not they can call in a family member, friend, colleague or loved one or a Community Whisperer, that’s a compassionate and empathetic listener and helper from their local Whisperer Team, who can listen.
Due to my own suicide distress and journey into the depths of darkness I realised I could help others experiencing similar feelings. Particularly those who spend time in pubs. More info at www.glassempty.org
“You needed to talk,” he added. “That was what was helping you”.
Hi, my name is Jonathan Hart. I'm a
South Australian-based entrepreneur and community connector who experienced suicide distress in 2014/15.
And were it not for my father's care and concern, in some of the toughest times of my life, I would never have made it through the 9 months of on-again, off-again thoughts of not wanting to be alive.
I recently asked my Dad, during a period of reflection, why, through that nine-month period, he had chosen to spend every second or third day walking with me on the beach, just listening, as I expressed my thoughts, feelings and emotions.
You see, I had been put on an anti-depressant medication at the time. One which exacerbated the anxiety I was already feeling due to the financial stress of running my own family business and being responsible for putting food on the table for a young family of six.
I was stressed out, I was anxious and depressed and I was going through a rocky time in my relationship.
The feeling of wanting to end my life meant I could barely make it out of bed due to the feelings of depression, regarding my financial circumstances, and anxiety regarding my future outcomes related to work.
I was worried that I would be unable to maintain the funds to take care of my family and I didn't have any solid friendships either at that time, except for my Dad, and I was feeling isolated with my relationship in jeopardy of breaking down.
We had changed our business website to a new provider, which caused me to worry, and I was addicted to scrolling social media at the time, instead of finding my worth.
There was very little that could be done to wake me out of these feelings, except getting off those damn medications I was forced into taking, due to earlier periods of poor mental health.
I made it through that dark night of the soul with my time spent in suicide distress not wasted, later using it to propel me forward with helping others who are experiencing feelings of suicide distress themsleves.
Because I didn't want what I had experienced, over such a long period of time, to happen to others and I knew there were so many men (and women) in the community who were already suffering in silence.
After travelling Australia in 2017 with my wife at the time and our four kids, and filming the inside of some classic and iconic pubs on the journey, I created the website www.greataussiepubs.com.au
When Covid came in 2020 and people in pubs were forced to drink sitting down, unable to sing or dance due to mask and social distancing mandates, I realised I could, and needed to, do more for mental health support in pubs.
Having suffered with suicide distress and mental health problems in the past, I used my experiences, compassion and empathy to create suicide prevention education, a community of helpers and the GLASS EMPTY Suicide Prevention Signal.
By placing a coaster on an upturned glass or cup at participating pubs, clubs, bars, cafes and breweries, it signals that you are feeling suicidal.
Or, the coaster can be handed to a bar tender or someone in the pub, who can start the process of getting them to safety.
It's a way in to the conversation when the words are too difficult to say and you want to let someone know you need help to feel safe again.
From there a Pub Whisperer can enter that conversation with you and help you to feel safe again. But only if they are able to allocate the time to do so. If not they can call in a family member, friend, colleague or loved one or a Community Whisperer, that’s a compassionate and empathetic listener and helper from their local Whisperer Team, who can listen.
Due to my own suicide distress and journey into the depths of darkness I realised I could help others experiencing similar feelings. Particularly those who spend time in pubs. More info at www.glassempty.org
Meet Community Champion Michelle Kemmler
As a strong and dedicated professional and community volunteer, Michelle is educated and experienced in a variety of areas.
With a long career in child care education for 25+ years, Michelle became an "accidental counsellor" and support person for many young people and their families.
This led to a passion for mental health & wellbeing.
After losing several people to suicide in 2015, Michelle focussed her attention on developing skills to support the community in suicide awareness and prevention, or as she likes to say, she wants to "Promote life".
Michelle volunteered as a Lifeline phone counsellor and was Chairperson of Let's Talk Onkaparinga suicide prevention network for several years.
As a Rotarian, she implemented & brought to life the idea of the Onkaparinga Seaside Walk, raising thousands of dollars and winning awards for the yearly events.
She has been nominated for several community awards for all that she does for her local & wider community.
More recently, Michelle has studied to become a life coach with additional certifications in trauma informed therapy and art therapy for coaches. She truly cares about people and their well being and likes to connect on a deeper level so she can support & guide people onto bigger & better things. Personal growth and learning new things is her key to the best version of YOU!!
Michelle operates a small home based business in Coaching & Healing practices.
Based on her education, skills, knowledge, and lived experience she is able to offer a variety of services including .
Creative therapy coaching sessions, Relaxation & Mindfulness sessions for Individuals & groups, Hypnotherapy, Group mental health awareness sessions, and Healing Sessions - Reiki, BARS and Tapping.
If you want to learn more, please follow this link to her social media profiles: Facebook & Instagram.
Michelle at I CARE Consulting, truly cares for people in her community.
With a long career in child care education for 25+ years, Michelle became an "accidental counsellor" and support person for many young people and their families.
This led to a passion for mental health & wellbeing.
After losing several people to suicide in 2015, Michelle focussed her attention on developing skills to support the community in suicide awareness and prevention, or as she likes to say, she wants to "Promote life".
Michelle volunteered as a Lifeline phone counsellor and was Chairperson of Let's Talk Onkaparinga suicide prevention network for several years.
As a Rotarian, she implemented & brought to life the idea of the Onkaparinga Seaside Walk, raising thousands of dollars and winning awards for the yearly events.
She has been nominated for several community awards for all that she does for her local & wider community.
More recently, Michelle has studied to become a life coach with additional certifications in trauma informed therapy and art therapy for coaches. She truly cares about people and their well being and likes to connect on a deeper level so she can support & guide people onto bigger & better things. Personal growth and learning new things is her key to the best version of YOU!!
Michelle operates a small home based business in Coaching & Healing practices.
Based on her education, skills, knowledge, and lived experience she is able to offer a variety of services including .
Creative therapy coaching sessions, Relaxation & Mindfulness sessions for Individuals & groups, Hypnotherapy, Group mental health awareness sessions, and Healing Sessions - Reiki, BARS and Tapping.
If you want to learn more, please follow this link to her social media profiles: Facebook & Instagram.
Michelle at I CARE Consulting, truly cares for people in her community.
